Making a Will is an important part of your estate planning. Everyone—wealthy or not—should consider having a Will. Most of us don’t like to think about writing a Will, yet it’s one of the best ways to ensure your estate is managed for your loved ones in accordance with your wishes after your death.
Why make a Will
A Will is a legal document by which you express your wishes as to how your property is to be distributed at death, naming one person or a number of people to manage your estate and provide for the transfer of your property at death. So why make a Will? Put simply:
- Without a Will, your estate will be distributed in accordance with a formula set out in legislation and the courts will decide who will be authorized to manage your estate.
- With a Will, you decide how and to whom your assets can be distributed, you can designate a trusted person to ensure the efficient management of your property and you have an opportunity to do so in ways that may save on income taxes.
The Will, estate planning and you
If you have property of any kind, you have an estate. With death, your financial responsibilities do not end—they just change. Preparing for that change is called estate planning. The purpose of estate planning is to permit you to enjoy your property during your life and, after your death, to determine how any remaining property shall be distributed, with the least possible decrease in value.
Benefits of a Will
A valid Will is the cornerstone upon which estate planning is based and may help you:
- meet your personal needs and those of your family
- ensure that your property is left to the intended beneficiaries
- express your wishes for the care of minor children
- reduce family squabbles
- reduce the cost of transferring property upon death
- minimize income taxes through various financial strategies
You should seek professional help when planning your estate and preparing your Will. Your lawyer is best qualified to help you in preparing your will. Your financial advisor can assist you in ensuring that your Will aligns with your overall estate plan which may help minimize associated costs.
This blog reflects the views of the author as of the date stated. This information should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell nor should it be relied upon as investment, tax or legal advice. Empire Life and its affiliates does not warrant or make any representations regarding the use or the results of the information contained herein in terms of its correctness, accuracy, timeliness, reliability, or otherwise, and does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage that results from its use.
July 2019
